Game Preview: Bears vs. Hammers, 7 p.m.

The Hershey Bears continue the 2026-27 season, presented by Penn State Health, as they open a four-game homestand with their inaugural meeting with the Hamilton Hammers at GIANT Center. 

Hershey Bears (8-5-0-0) vs. Hamilton Hammers (4-9-0-2)
Nov. 11, 2026 | 7 p.m. | GIANT Center
Referees: Nolan Bloyer (95), Mike Dietrich (15)
Linespersons: Tommy George (61), Josh Cleary (45)

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Promotions:

Hometown Heroes – Join us for Seats For Soldiers and Veterans Night, as we welcome members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Retired Four-Star General Timothy D. Haugh for activations throughout the night featuring a ceremonial puck drop, an on-ice swearing-in ceremony, and Army vs. Air Force tug-of-war.

USO Hygiene Supply Drive – Fans are encouraged to bring hygiene supplies that the USO is collecting in support of service members. Suggested supplies include: shaving cream, razors, deodorant (male and female), conditioner, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, tissues (travel packs), hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, hot hands, shower shoes (male and female), towels, socks, tooth paste, etc.

Berks Dollar Dog Night — Fans can purchase $1 Berks hot dogs at select concourse locations.

Broadcast Information:
Voice of the Bears Zack Fisch, former Bears captain Garrett Mitchell, and FOX43 sports director Todd Sadowski on the call
TELEVISION: Antenna TV (WPMT FOX 43.2, Xfinity Ch. 247 and 1178, Verizon FiOS Ch. 463, Blue Ridge Ephrata Ch. 91, and Blue Ridge Newberry/Duncannon Ch. 88)
RADIO: WFVY 100.1-FM, Fox Sports 1460-AM, SportsRadio 98.9-FM & WOYK 1350-AM, In-arena on 88.9-FM
WATCH LIVE: AHLTV on FloHockey
LISTEN LIVE: Fox Sports 1460-AM Stream
Radio pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.; Television coverage begins at 7 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT:
The Bears skated away with a 6-1 victory at Springfield on Saturday, as Petr Sikora scored twice, Dalton Smith scored the game-winner, and Mitch Gibson turned in a 20-save performance to help Hershey earn a split of its weekend series with the Thunderbirds. The Hammers came away with a 6-3 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday, rallying from an initial 1-0 deficit with four straight goals, including a pair of shorthanded tallies in the first period, one of which came off the stick of Pierre Engvall, who led the way with three points (1g, 2a), and Josh Kotai made 33 saves. Coincidentally, both teams either matched or established season highs for goals in a game on Saturday.

HAMILTON HOMECOMING:
Hershey gets its first look at the newest addition to the American Hockey League tonight after the league approved the relocation of the Bridgeport Islanders franchise after 25 seasons in Connecticut; Hershey had a lifetime record of 78-37-3-5-11 against Bridgeport and knocked the club out of the playoffs with a two-game sweep in the 2026 Atlantic Division First Round; 11 players on Hamilton’s active roster appeared in at least one game of that series. The city of Hamilton, Ontario was previously served in the AHL by the Canucks (1992-94) and Bulldogs (1996-2015), and the current club is now helmed behind the bench by head coach Jay McKee. Hammers defenseman Ethan Bear made the AHL Second All-Star Team with Hershey during the 2024-25 campaign, while netminder Vítek Vaněček will be making his return to Hershey, where he patrolled the crease for the Chocolate and White from 2015-20 and 2021-22. Hershey has posted a 2-1-0-0 record against North Division clubs this season.

VANĚČEK-ING IN:
Hamilton goaltender Vítek Vaněček could make his return to GIANT Center tonight in goal for the Hammers after last appearing in uniform with the Bears on Feb. 27, 2022 vs. Utica. In that time since, the native of Czechia was traded by Washington to the New Jersey Devils, the San Jose Sharks, the Florida Panthers (where he won a Stanley Cup in 2025 backing up Sergei Bobrovsky), before signing as a free agent with the Utah Mammoth, and again signing a one-year NHL contract with the New York Islanders this past summer. Vaněček has already established a league-high performance this season, making 46 saves in Hamilton’s 5-4 loss to Providence on Nov. 6.

BEARS AND THE MILITARY:
As the Bears organization pays tribute to members of our armed forces, the Bears also recognize a proud tradition of former players who have also served. Of note is a lineage of former captains who have served during World War II, as Gordie Bruce, Wally Kilrea, Hank Lauzon, and Frank Mario all saw time in either the United States or Canadian military. Also of note is 1947 Calder Cup champion Augie Herchenratter, who received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his participation in the D-Day landings of Normandy after he led a 28-man platoon across a mile of open farmland through intensive machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire, eliminating enemy positions along the way. Only he and five of his men reached their target unscathed. Additionally, forward Vince Germann suited up for the Bears during the 1940-41 season before joining the 1st Canadian paratroop battalion, with whom he was killed in action in Germany while serving in March of 1945. In more recent years, former Bears enforcer Joel Rechlicz has served in the U.S. Army.

STROME IN POSITION TO PLAY IN 200TH GAME WITH HERSHEY:
Forward Matt Strome could play in his 200th game as a Bear tonight. Coincidentally, he played his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League for the Hamilton Bulldogs from 2015-19, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions with Hamilton in 2018.

BEARS BITES:
Hershey captain Louie Belpedio is tied for the league lead in game-winning goals by a defenseman (2)…Lynden Lakovic is tied for ninth in rookie scoring with 10 points (3g, 7a), while Hamilton’s Quinn Finley is tied for 16th with eight (3g, 5a); Finley is one of only two AHL rookies with a shootout goal...Spencer Smallman’s next game will mark his 100th as a Bear…Dylan McIlrath is one assist away from his 100th pro assist…Hamilton’s Matthew Highmore is one game away from playing in his 500th professional game…Hamilton is 0-7-0-0 when trailing after the second period.

ON THIS DATE IN BEARS HISTORY:
Nov. 11, 2006 – The Bears triumphed in a 7-3 decision over the Manitoba Moose at MTS Centre. Hershey broke a 1-1 tie in the second period with a pair of shorthanded goals scored 26 seconds apart by Alexandre Giroux and Matt Hendricks, and Eric Fehr scored a goal and two assists, as Hershey established or tied several franchise records, including longest undefeated road start to the season and longest road unbeaten streak (both eight games).